MODERN REALIA OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK)

Benedectine – of the religious order founded in AD 529 by St Benedect.

Edward the Confessor ( 1003-1066) – the king of england from 1042 ro 1066. He was considered a holy man , and in 1161 the Pope made him a saint and gave him the title of “Confessor”.

Anglo-Saxon – of the Germanic tribes (from North-Western Europe) who settled in England before the Norman Conquest.

Gothic – of the style of architecture common in Western Europe in the 12th to 16th centuries, characterised by pointed arches, clusters of columns, etc.

William the Conqueror (1027 – 1087) – the king of England from 1066 to 1087. He was the duke of Normandy, in northern France, when the English king Edward the Confessor died, and claimed that Edward had promised him the right to be the next king of England. He invaded England and defeated king Harold II at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Later that year he became king.

St Andrew’s Day – the day which commemorates St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

Elizabeth I (1533-1603) – the queen of England from 1558 to 1603. She is regarded as one of England’s greatest rulers. Elizabeth was an extremely strong and clever woman who controlled the difficult political and religious situation of the time with great skill.

Charles II (1630-1685) – king of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1660 to 1649. He spent most of the time living abroad until Parliament invited him to return to be king after the death of Oliver Cromwell.

Henry VIII (1491-1547) – king of England from 1509 to 1547. He is one of most famous of all English kings, especially because he had six wives.

ft – foot – measure of length = 12 inches = 30.479 cm;

lb (Lat)– pound – unit of weight = 0.454 kg;

Suffrage movement - a movement in the early part of the 20th century, the leaders of which agitated for women’s right to vote in political elections;

Publican – a keeper of a public house (pub), a place licensed to sell alcohol to be consumed on the premises. The Coach and Horses is a typical name for a pub.

POST-READING:

ü How can you prove that the statement “Westminster Abbey is not only a historical place, it is part of history in itself” is true?

ü What was the motivation behind the “Gunpowder Plot”?

ü Were there any occasions when the Big Ben clock stopped? When and why did it happen?

ü Why do you think the watermen protested against the construction of London Bridge?

[10] Choose the correct form:

Barbados

Have you ever been to Barbados? Life (1) ________(by/at/on/over) Barbados is slow and peaceful. People there seem to (2) __________(spend/pass/attend/follow) all their time eating and relaxing. You (3)__________(almost/hardly/nearly/scarce) ever see anyone doing any real work. (4)______(Although/Nevertheless/Despite/ Contrary) crowds of tourists are attracted (5) ____________ (at/from/on/by) cheap package deals, the island, situated (6) __________ (among/between/in/on) the Caribbean remains (7) _____________ (undisturbed/unattached/unspoilt/untouched). The temperature seldom falls (8) __________ (under/below/down/behind) 20° C and you are unlikely to meet friendlier people anywhere in the world. In Bridgetown, the capital, you can sit on the balcony of a harbour-front restaurant (9) __________ (swallowing/sipping/biting/eating) fresh coconut cocktails, and watch the boats (10) ____________ (unpacking/disembarking/unloading/delivering). It is also a great place to buy jewellery as not only it is beautifully made, but it is also tax-free. For the classiest hotels (11) _________ (face/head/turn/charge) north to the Platinum Coast, (12) ____________ (called/termed/christened/named) after its white sandy beaches. The superb Glitter Bay Hotel is situated in flower-filled gardens with (13)__________ (careful/attentive/cautious/interested) staff and delicious food. As the sun (14) __________ (falls/jumps/sets/dives), enjoy your cocktail and start figuring out how to (15) __________ (take/earn/gain/possess) the money to get back to Barbados.

[11] Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space:

Tuscany

Tuscany has much to offer the visitor as it has both beautiful countryside and a number of historic towns. One of its (1) _____ famous cities is Florence, (2) _______ is known for its cathedral and the beautiful bridge, Ponte Vecchio. In (3) ______, there are some colourful markets, which are quite cheap considering (4) _______ expensive Italy can be. Another city most people will have heard (5) ________ Pisa, famous (6)_______ its Leaning Tower. That is not the only attraction (7) ________ seeing in Pisa, as there is also an eleventh-century cathedral. Bargo, on the other (8) ____________, is a town that may not (9) ________ known to the average visitor. Nevertheless, it should not be missed by (10) _________ who is interested (11) ________ seeing the best of Tuscany. It is full of old buildings which have all (12) ________ painted red, ochre, pale blue and green. The streets are lined with trees and there are (13) _______ restaurants and pavement cafes (14) _____________ you can sit and admire the cathedral and Mount Panio, which lies just behind the town. The atmosphere in this place is (15) ________ charming and restful.

[12] Read the following extracts from holiday brochures and do the tasks that follow them:

A. The Moors were a race of nomads, until they came to Spain.

Imagine a quiet corner in Granada’s Alhambra, as the shadows lengthen across the ancient stones. Time stands still. And so it is in countless courtyards and squares in other cities of the region. In Seville, first city of the south. In Cordoba, home of the noblest mosque ever constructed. Meanwhile, back in the 21st century, Andalucia enjoys infrastructure the envy of less historical parts of Europe. Witness the organizational flair that made Seville such a successful host to the world during Expo ’04. But close your eyes to progress for a while. Within the walls of the citadel the stately pleasures of a bygone age hold sway. Little wonder the Moors lingered for eight centuries.

B. Big chunks off glaciers! Hurry! Won’t last!

Our new season’s Alaskan cruise program and brochure has just been released. And to celebrate, we’re offering sizeable chunks off the cost of voyages to the glaciers and other wonders of Alaska.

Book before 2 April 2005 and save with our special Booking Bonus. You could be cruising Alaska for 7 nights from just $3218 per adult, which includes your international return flights.

This land of spectacular glaciers, forests and mountain ranges is waiting for you to explore. And the best way to experience it is in Princess Style. Unparalleled service, lavish dining, 5-star accommodation and world-class entertainment are yours, night after night. So see your travel agent now or write to us: Princes Alaska, GPO Box 5287 Sydney NSW 2001 Australia

C. Give yourself a break

Give yourself a break. A week or so. Even a weekend. However long you need to get back a bit of that old get up and go.

At Warburton Health Care Centre, we’ve become very good at recharging people’s batteries. After all, we’ve been doing it for 82 years.

Just coming to Warburton is a breath of fresh air. We’ll treat you to good food, in every sense. It’s vegetarian, and better still it’s delicious, we promise you. We’ll give you healthy exercise. We will put the spring back in your step with a bit of bike riding, daily massage, hydrotherapy, maybe some tennis, aerobics, swimming and so on. All under the guidance of our friendly team of fully qualified health and fitness professionals.

Warburton Health Care Centre is set in magnificent gardens in the forested foothills of Mount Donna Buang, just 77 kilometres from town, but a world away.

D. Where Highlands and Lowlands Meet

Ballathie House is quite unlike any other hotel you’ve ever stayed at. An elegant country manor in an idyllic setting, it offers the best of what is old and gracious with the best of what is modern and convenient. All the ingredients, you might think, for the perfect weekend break.

Yet its uniqueness, oddly enough, is what makes this a typical Best Western Hotel. There are nearly 200 to choose from all over the UK All independently owned and run by individual hoteliers, no two are the same except in their devotion to your comfort and convenience.

Secluded inns, imposing country houses, historic castles, grand city-centre hotels – you name it, Best Western have it. So next time you feel like a break in your favourite corner of Britain, escape to Best Western.

· Complete the following table (put a “+” in the corresponding square):

Which of the advertisements:

A

B

C

D

offers help to those who have problems with their health?

promotes a network of hotels?

promotes the whole country as a tourist attraction?

offers a sea cruise?

has a deadline for reservation?

mentions historical heritage as a tourist attraction?

offers vegetarian food only?

mentions the opportunity to see glaciers?

promises specially organized entertainment?

· Paraphrase or explain the following sentences from the advertisements (take into consideration the context in which they are used in the texts):

1. “Andalucia enjoys infrastructure the envy of less historical parts of Europe”

2. “we’re offering sizeable chunks off the cost of voyages to the glaciers and other wonders of Alaska”

3. “we’ve become very good at recharging people’s batteries”

4. “just 77 kilometres from town, but a world away”

5. So next time you feel like a break in your favourite corner of Britain, escape to Best Western.

MODERN REALIA OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK)

GEOGRAPHY OF THE UK

UK is an abbreviation of “the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” (which is the political name of the country). The country is made up of four constituent parts – England, Scotland, Wales (Cymru in Welsh) and Northern Ireland (sometimes known as Ulster)*.

1. Geographical position of the UK

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles – a large group of islands lying off the north-western coast of Europe and separated from the continent by the English Channel and the Strait of Dover in the south and the North Sea in the east.

The British Isles consist of two large islands – Great Britain and Ireland – separated by the Irish Sea, and a lot of small islands, the main of which are the Isle of Wight in the English Channel, Anglesey and the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, the Hebrides – a group of islands off the north-western coast of Scotland, and two groups of islands lying to the north of Scotland: the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands**.

The total area of the United Kingdom is 244 square kilometres.

2. State symbols of the UK

2.1. The flag of the UK

The flag of the United Kingdom, known as the Union Jack*** is made up of three crosses.

The upright red cross is the cross of St George, the patron saint of England.

The white diagonal cross (with the arms going into the corners) is the cross of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

The red diagonal cross is the cross of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

The national flag of Wales is a red dragon on a background of white and green. Wales is not represented in the Union Jack because when the first version of the flag appeared Wales was already united with England****, but the Welsh flag is in widespread usage throughout that country.

2.2. The Royal Coat of Arms is the official coat of arms of the British monarch.

The Coat of Arms depicts the shield supported by a crowned lion (on the left) and a unicorn (on the right).

The shield is quartered: the top left and the bottom right quarters depict the three lions passant guardant which is the symbol for England; the top right quarter – the rampant lion and double tressure fleury-counter-fleury for Scotland; the bottom left quarter – a harp for Ireland. Above the shield there is the crown – the symbol of the monarch. The crest above the crown is a lion statant guardant wearing the imperial crown.

The supporters of the shield – the crowned lion and the unicorn symbolize England and Scotland respectively. According to legend a free unicorn was considered a very dangerous beast; therefore the heraldic unicorn is chained

The coat features both the motto of English monarchs, Dieu et mon droit (God and my right), and the motto of the Order of the Garter, Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shamed be he who thinks ill of it) on a representation of the Garter behind the shield. The mottoes are old French and date back to the days when French was the court language.

The Queen has a separate version of her arms for use in Scotland, giving the Scottish elements pride of place.

The Coat of Arms depicts the shield supported by a crowned lion (on the right) symbolizing England and a crowned and chained unicorn (on the left) symbolizing Scotland. Between each supporter and the shield is a lance displaying the flag of their respective kingdom.

The shield is quartered: the top left and the bottom right quarters depict the lion rampant of Scotland; the top right – the three lions passant guardant of England; the bottom left – the harp of Ireland.

The crest atop the Crown of Scotland is a red lion, seated and forward facing, itself wearing the Crown of Scotland and holding the two remaining elements of the Honours of Scotland – namely the Sword of State and the Sceptre of Scotland. Above the crest appears the motto, which is an abbreviated form of the full motto: In My Defens God Me Defend.

The coat also features both the motto Nemo me impune lacessit (No-one wounds (touches) me with impunity) and, surrounding the shield, the collar of the Order of the Thistle.

2.3. The National Anthem of the United Kingdom is “God Save The King”. It was a patriotic song that dates back to the 18th century. The words and tunes are anonymous.

In September 1745 the “Young Pretender” to the British Throne, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, defeated the army of King George II at Prestonpans, near Edinburgh. When the news reached London the leader of the band at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, arranged “God Save the King” for performance after a play. It was a tremendous success and was repeated nightly. Other theatres later started to practice singing the song after a play.

Thus the custom of greeting monarchs with “God Save The King” as he or she entered a place of public entertainment was established. The words used today are those sung in 1745, substituting “Queen” for “King” where appropriate.

The words of the National Anthem are as follows:

God save our gracious Queen! Long live our noble Queen! God save the Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save the Queen.

Thy choicest gifts in store

On her be pleased to pour,

Long may she reign.

May she defend our laws,

And ever give us cause,

To sing with heart and voice,

God save the Queen.

On official occasions, only the first verse is usually sung.

3. The symbols of the UK’s four constituent parts

England

Flag:St George’s cross (see above)

A red cross acted as a symbol for many Crusaders in the 12th and 13th centuries. It became associated with St George who’s claimed to be the patron saint of England (the saint’s day – 23 April). The red cross remained in national use until 1707, when the Union Flag was adopted for all purposes to unite the whole of Great Britain under a common flag.

Plant: rose

The rose as the national flower of England is used in a variety of contexts. Predominantly, this is a red rose (which also symbolises Lancashire), such as the badge of the English Rugby Union team. However, a white rose (which also symbolises Yorkshire) or a red-and-white “Tudor rose” (symbolising the end of the Wars of the Roses*) may also be used on different occasions.

Scotland

Flag:St Andrew’s cross (see above) – also known as the Saltire

St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland (the saint’s day – 30 November).

Plant: thistle

The national flower of Scotland features in many Scottish symbols and logos, and UK currency. It is also used as the emblem of the Scottish Rugby team.

Wales

Flag: the Red Dragon (see above)

Plant: leek and daffodil (they share the Welsh name Ceninen)

It is believed that the leek, if eaten, encourages good health and happiness. This plant, which was worn by the Welsh in the Battle of Crecy**, by 1536, when Henry VIII gave a leek to his daughter on 1 March, was already associated with St David’s Day. It is possible that the green and white family colours adopted by the Tudors were taken from their liking for the leek.

The daffodil has only recently assumed a position of national importance. An increasingly popular flower during the 19th century, especially among women, its status was elevated by the Welsh-born prime minister David Lloyd George, who wore it on St David’s Day and used it in ceremonies in 1911 to mark the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon.

Patron saint: St David (the saint’s day – 1 March; it has been celebrated as such since the 12th century)

St Patrick is the patron saint of Northern Ireland (the saint’s day – 17 March)

Plant: shamrock (a three-leafed clover)

The shamrock is often confused with the four-leaf clover. While the four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, the three-leafed shamrock is mainly an Irish Christian symbol of the Holy Trinity and has a different significance.